Resurrection reviewed

Last night (Friday, Jan. 18th), during the evening portion of the Greater Europe Mission Directors’ Conference, we reviewed the resurrection of Christ.

Dick Gascho gave us copies of the Gospel accounts of the resurrection. We broke into triplets and chose one account to read and ask the Lord to give us new eyes while looking at the resurrection again.

Here are a couple of thoughts that crossed our minds as we looked at Matt. 28:1-20:

Here are the people mentioned in this passage: Jesus, angels, guards, women, priests, disciples, elders (of the city) soldiers, governor, Jews, nations, Father, Son & Holy Spirit and, finally, new disciples.

I was surprised as to how fast the message of Jesus’ resurrection traveled throughout the area

It is interesting to note that the FIRST reaction of those who met Jesus is fear and the 2nd is to immediately worship Him. (I had to ask myself when the last time was that I entered into worship - whether during my quiet times/devotions, worship at a church service or wherever - and experienced any measure of fear.

It is also interesting - and perhaps convicting - at how emphatically people were commanded to “Go and tell” the message that Jesus had risen from the dead.

One of the applications from these observations that comes to mind almost immediately is the question, “How urgent is the desire in my heart to communicate the wonderful news that Jesus has risen from the dead?”

Church Leadership question

Hey, I have a question for you. How does one “lead a church”?

Let’s say that you have been a member in a church for many years. You have served in that church in a variety of ministries and capacities.

And now you have been given the call from the Lord to lead the church, but not as pastor. What do you do? Where do you begin? How do you do that?

I’m pondering this question - anew - as I consider my role in “leading” our church here in Banska Bystrica.

The form of church government used here in Slovakia in the Baptist denomination is congregational. What that means in a nutshell is that the highest organ or the most powerful element for decision-making (outside of the Lord Jesus, of course) is the congregation.

Some of you may be rolling your eyes right now. Some of you may be saying, “Right on!”

But whatever your reaction, think about my original question - “How does one lead a church?” without a position of authority - without being given the role, rights and power of that expectation?

Maybe I’ll give my 2 cents worth on this question in the near future, but more than that, I’d like to hear your input.

Who knows, maybe you’ll change the future of the church of Christ in Slovakia?

Lani - again -- double-jointed?

I’m sure that I’v written about Lani, our black 1 year old Labrador. I just had to include this pic that Nathan snapped of her just recently.

I don’t know of any other dog that lays like this consistently - Lani does. Enjoy.

AMT 2008 wrap up!

Tonight, I was privileged to be included in the wrap-up for the AMT (Alliance Week of Prayer). At one point in the meeting, they asked representatives from each church to come forward for a special time of prayer. Being that I am the chairman of the elder board at our church, and that we don’t have a pastor, and (truth be told!) no one else from our church showed up except 2 women (as best I can recall), I was selected.

In the picture below, you see the other pastors and representatives from a variety of churches including the Lutheran, Evangelical Free, Apostolic (like Assembly of God), Vineyard, the Roman Catholic Youth Director, 7th Day Adventist and I represented the Baptist church.

It will certainly be an interesting day in Heaven to see a variety of believers in the presence of our Lord Jesus....